Manager's reaction to opening day victory

Despite being able to celebrate an opening day 1-0 victory at Ebbsfleet United, Martin Allen admitted that he is looking for more from his players.

A penalty from Zavon Hines in the second half was enough for the Spireites to send their fans home happy with a win.

Commenting on his team’s performance after the game, the manager said: “I didn’t think we played very well.

"First half I thought we were awful, but second half I thought we played better. Credit to the players for stepping it up - they had to.”

Martin had praise for Hines, whose goal was the difference after 90 minutes, saying:“I think it was the only thing he had done, but it’s won us the game. That’s what he can do - he’s got magic in those boots.”

Debutant Marc-Antoine Fortune made an immediate impact when coming off the bench in the second half and his performance clearly impressed the boss. Martin said: “He did well when he came on. You’d expect that from a player that played 30 times last year in Division One.

“He only turned up yesterday morning, and straight away we could tell he was in good shape.

“The fact that he took the train from London up to Chesterfield on Friday morning, after a conversion on Thursday night at ten o’clock. He jumped on that train and I knew he was going to be good.”

Martin was also pleased with how his defence stood firm against Ebbsfleet, who pushed hard for an equaliser.

“That’s what we practiced, that’s what you would expect them to do and that’s what they did.

“The substitutes that came on did very well for us. It’s a squad effort, the players on the bench were very committed and very strong with their voices to support the players.

“I was hoping that on the counter-attack we could get something, but some of them were purely exhausted. They were exhausted and fair play to them for putting a shift in.”

The Spireites support was out in force at the Kuflink Stadium and the manager commented on how he wants to keep them entertained.

He said: “I promised I would give them something. I haven’t just moved up here for a laugh.

“I haven’t come here to mess about, I’ve come for some action and that’s what they’re going to get.”